Maximinus
235 - 238 A.D.
Maximinus rose to power via the army where he served as legion commander
during a turbulent period of battles against the Germanic tribes. The soldiers
under his command, displeased with the wishy-washy way of their current emperor
(Severus Alexander), voted with their swords and proclaimed Maximinus emperor.
Although he scored a number of successes against the barbarians his dealings in
civilian matters were another story entirely. He terrorized the Senate and
raised taxes drastically. His tyranical ways, which included a seething contempt
for aristocracy, the arts and religion, soon became known throughout the empire.
In desperation, the Senate brought the Balbinus-Pupienus duo to a joint
emperorship while Maximinus was still approaching Rome. Pupienus's army was
smaller than Maximinus's but they followed a scorched-earth policy in calculated
retreats and guerilla strikes. This so wore down Maximinus's soldiers that they
got fed up and killed him just three years into his reign.
The reign of Maximinus also signals the first time during the imperial period
that a man of barbarian birth assumed the throne (Caracalla's edict of extending
Roman citizenship to the provincials made him, technically, a Roman). Of him it
was said that he was taller than eight feet and could eat thirty to forty pounds
of meat and eight gallons of wine daily. Notwithstanding this likely
exaggeration it still should give one pause as to his physical attributions.
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AR Denarius 235--238 A.D.
3.1 g., 19 mm.
Obv. IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG: Laureate and draped bust right
Rev. PROVIDENTIA AVG: Providentia standing left, holding cornucopia with left arm and pointing with baton in her right hand to globe at her feet
C. 75, Van Meter 9
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AE Sestertius 235--238 A.D.
Rome
32 mm.
Obv. IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG: Laureate and draped bust right
Rev. FIDES MILITVM S C: Fides standing left with two standards
Van Meter 14 |
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AE Sestertius 235--238 A.D.
Rome
23.15 g., 29 mm.
Obv. IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev. PM TRP II COS PP S C: Emperor standing left, holding scepter, two standards to left, one standard to right
RIC 648 |
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AE Sestertius 235--238 A.D.
Rome ca. 237 A.D.
27 mm.
Obv. IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG: Laureate and draped bust right
Rev. SALVS AVG S C: Slus seated left, with snake rising
S 2355, C. 92, BMC 175, Van Meter 2 |
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